L.A. County food banks stretched thin

July 28, 2008 5:44:34 AM PDT

Food banks in Los Angeles County are being stretched to the highest level in recent memory to meet the demand for free groceries.The Los Angeles Times reports that food banks in the San Fernando Valley are seeing not only the poor, but middle and upper class families.

One organization says the need for free food has increased by 80 percent.

Some food bank officials say they see people who've used their retirement to pay their mortgage and have gone through their savings.